The term '''''Oriental Orthodox''''' refers to the churches of Eastern Christian traditions that keep the faith of only the first three [[Ecumenical Council]]s of the [[Orthodox Church]]—the councils of [[First Ecumenical Council|Nicea I]], [[Second Ecumenical Council|Constantinople I]] and [[Third Ecumenical Council|Ephesus]]. The Oriental Orthodox churches rejected the [[dogma|dogmatic definition]]s of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]].

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The term '''''Oriental Orthodox''''' refers to the churches of Eastern Christian traditions that keep the faith of only the first three [[Ecumenical Council]]s of the [[Orthodox Church]]—the councils of [[First Ecumenical Council|Nicea I]], [[Second Ecumenical Council|Constantinople I]] and [[Third Ecumenical Council|Ephesus]]. The Oriental Orthodox churches rejected the [[dogma|dogmatic definition]]s of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]] (A.D. 451).

Thus, despite potentially confusing nomenclature, Oriental Orthodox churches are distinct from the churches that collectively are referred to as ''[[Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodoxy]]''.

Thus, despite potentially confusing nomenclature, Oriental Orthodox churches are distinct from the churches that collectively are referred to as ''[[Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodoxy]]''.

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The Oriental Orthodox churches came to a [[schism|parting of the ways]] with the remainder of [[Christianity]] in the 5th century. The separation resulted in part from the Oriental Orthodox churches' refusal to accept the [[Christology|Christological]] [[dogma]]s promulgated by the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]], which held that [[Jesus Christ]] has two [[physis|nature]]s — one divine and one human, although these were inseparable and only act as one [[hypostasis]]. To the [[hierarch]]s who would lead the Oriental Orthodox, this was tantamount to accepting [[Nestorianism]]. In response, they advocated a formula that stressed unity of the [[Incarnation]] over all other considerations. The Oriental Orthodox churches are therefore often called "[[Monophysite]]" churches, although they reject this label, which is associated with [[Eutychianism|Eutychian Monophysitism]], preferring the term ''non-Chalcedonian'' or ''Miaphysite'' churches. Oriental Orthodox Christians anathematize the Monophysite teachings of [[Eutyches]]. They are sometimes also known as ''anti-Chalcedonians''.

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The Oriental Orthodox churches came to a [[schism|parting of the ways]] with the remainder of [[Christianity]] in the 5th century. The separation resulted in part from the Oriental Orthodox churches' refusal to accept the [[Christology|Christological]] [[dogma]]s promulgated by the Council of [[Chalcedon]], which held that [[Jesus Christ]] is in two natures — one divine and one human, although these were inseparable. To the [[hierarch]]s who would lead the Oriental Orthodox, this was tantamount to accepting [[Nestorianism]]. In response, they advocated a formula that stressed unity of the [[Incarnation]] over all other considerations, that being "one nature of God the Word Incarnate", "of/from two natures" in and after the union. The Oriental Orthodox churches are therefore often called "[[Monophysitism|Monophysite]]" churches, although they reject this label, which is associated with [[Eutychianism|Eutychian Monophysitism]], preferring the term ''non-Chalcedonian'' or ''Miaphysite'' churches. Oriental Orthodox Christians anathematize the Monophysite teachings of [[Eutyches]]. They are sometimes also known as ''anti-Chalcedonians''.

In the 20th century, a number of dialogues have occurred between the Oriental Orthodox and the Chalcedonian Orthodox which suggest that both communions now share a common [[Christology]] with differing terminology. As yet, [[full communion]] has not been restored. There have also been some agreed Christological statements issued in conjunction with the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and the Eastern Orthodox (Chalcedonian) family (Ecumenical Patriarchate and official representatives of other Eastern Orthodox Churches) [http://www.monachos.net/mb/messages/4225/ORIENT3-20256.doc].

In the 20th century, a number of dialogues have occurred between the Oriental Orthodox and the Chalcedonian Orthodox which suggest that both communions now share a common [[Christology]] with differing terminology. As yet, [[full communion]] has not been restored. There have also been some agreed Christological statements issued in conjunction with the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and the Eastern Orthodox (Chalcedonian) family (Ecumenical Patriarchate and official representatives of other Eastern Orthodox Churches) [http://www.monachos.net/mb/messages/4225/ORIENT3-20256.doc].

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== Oriental Orthodox Communion ==

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== Oriental Orthodox Churches ==

{{orientalchurches}}

{{orientalchurches}}

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The Oriental Orthodox Communion is a group of churches within Oriental Orthodoxy which are in [[full communion]] with each other [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arbible/message/25751]. The communion includes:

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The Oriental Orthodox communion is a group of churches within Oriental Orthodoxy which are in [[full communion]] directly and indirectly with one another [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arbible/message/25751]. The communion includes:

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* The [[Church of Armenia]] (Armenian Apostolic Church)

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* The [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria]]

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* The [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)]] (Syriac Orthodox, "Jacobite")

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** [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]], a branch and an integral part of the Syriac Orthodox Church with the Oriental Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch as its supreme head

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* The [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)]]

** The [[British Orthodox Church (Coptic)|British Orthodox Church]], canonically part of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria since 1994

** The [[British Orthodox Church (Coptic)|British Orthodox Church]], canonically part of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria since 1994

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* The [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]]

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* The [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch]] (sometimes called 'Jacobite')

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* The [[Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church]]

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** [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church]], a branch and integral part of the Syriac Orthodox Church with the Oriental Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch as its supreme head.

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* The [[Church of India]] (Malankara, Indian Orthodox, Orthodox Syrian Church of the East)

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* The [[Church of Armenia]] (sometimes called the Armenian Apostolic Church)

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* The [[Church of India|Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] (sometimes called the Indian Orthodox Church)

The [[Assyrian Church of the East]] is sometimes considered an Oriental Orthodox Church, although it is not in communion with Oriental Orthodox churches and they have a [[Nestorianism|Nestorian]] or Nestorian-like [[Christology]] that differs from the declaration of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]] in an opposite way from the [[Miaphysitism|Miaphysites]]. By the time of the Monophysite controversy, the Assyrians had already separated from the Orthodox Church with the [[Third Ecumenical Council|Council of Ephesus]].

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The [[Assyrian Church of the East]] is sometimes considered an Oriental Orthodox Church, although it is not in communion with Oriental Orthodox churches and they have a [[Nestorianism|Nestorian]] or Nestorian-like Christology that differs from the declaration of the Council of Chalcedon in an opposite way from the [[Miaphysitism|Miaphysites]]. By the time of the Monophysite controversy, the Assyrians had already separated from the Orthodox Church with the [[Third Ecumenical Council|Council of Ephesus]]. The Church follows the [[East Syrian Rite|East Syrian rite]].

*A case against reunion is made by this article: [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/ea_mono.aspx Opposition to Union with the Oriental Churches and the Unresolved Theological Differences Between the Two]

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*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/ea_mono.aspx Opposition to Union with the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Unresolved Theological Differences Between the Two] (Eastern Orthodox Article Against Reunion)

Thus, despite potentially confusing nomenclature, Oriental Orthodox churches are distinct from the churches that collectively are referred to as Eastern Orthodoxy.

The Oriental Orthodox churches came to a parting of the ways with the remainder of Christianity in the 5th century. The separation resulted in part from the Oriental Orthodox churches' refusal to accept the Christologicaldogmas promulgated by the Council of Chalcedon, which held that Jesus Christ is in two natures — one divine and one human, although these were inseparable. To the hierarchs who would lead the Oriental Orthodox, this was tantamount to accepting Nestorianism. In response, they advocated a formula that stressed unity of the Incarnation over all other considerations, that being "one nature of God the Word Incarnate", "of/from two natures" in and after the union. The Oriental Orthodox churches are therefore often called "Monophysite" churches, although they reject this label, which is associated with Eutychian Monophysitism, preferring the term non-Chalcedonian or Miaphysite churches. Oriental Orthodox Christians anathematize the Monophysite teachings of Eutyches. They are sometimes also known as anti-Chalcedonians.

In the 20th century, a number of dialogues have occurred between the Oriental Orthodox and the Chalcedonian Orthodox which suggest that both communions now share a common Christology with differing terminology. As yet, full communion has not been restored. There have also been some agreed Christological statements issued in conjunction with the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox (Chalcedonian) family (Ecumenical Patriarchate and official representatives of other Eastern Orthodox Churches) [1].

Assyrian Church of the East

The Assyrian Church of the East is sometimes considered an Oriental Orthodox Church, although it is not in communion with Oriental Orthodox churches and they have a Nestorian or Nestorian-like Christology that differs from the declaration of the Council of Chalcedon in an opposite way from the Miaphysites. By the time of the Monophysite controversy, the Assyrians had already separated from the Orthodox Church with the Council of Ephesus. The Church follows the East Syrian rite.